Binge eating disorder involves similar out of control eating as with bulimia, but the person with BED will not normally purge afterwards. It may actually be the most common type of eating disorder, but typically has an older age of onset (in the 20s or older) than anorexia or bulimia.^4,13

Characteristics can include eating much faster than normal, eating large amounts of food when not hungry, or eating alone because of embarrassment about the quantity being eaten.¹³

Often the eating binge is unplanned or involves ‘unhealthy’ food, but sometimes it can be planned. The person may buy certain foodstuffs specially to consume, but in extreme cases the person may scavenge food that has been thrown away or take food that is not theirs.⁴

Binge eating can be due to being unhappy, bored, stressed or upset. While it is intended to comfort the eater, eating so much means they may end up feeling distressed, bloated or sick. People with BED may dread social dining where there is a buffet.^5,13

BED can result in frequent nausea and energy peaks and troughs from sugar consumption. Physical signs can include sleep problems, constipation, stomach pain or poor skin conditions. Other frequent effects can include shortness of breath, acid reflux or developing irritable bowel syndrome. Weight gain and obesity is likely, with associated increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and joint or muscle pain, while sleep dyspnoea and gall bladder disease are common.